On Monday, US President Donald Trump laid blame for Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iranian-backed Hezbollah on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the Iranian-backed militia “very smart” and saying he “feels very badly” for Netanyahu.
The president, in an interview with Fox News, indicated that Netanyahu had misjudged the situation. “This is a very tough situation,” he said. “The Hezbollah is very, very smart, and they make a lot of trouble in different ways.”
Trump’s comments came amid reports from Israel that the country is bracing for the possibility of a major military confrontation between the two sides. The Israeli air force is reported to have struck a number of targets in both Syria and Lebanon recently, amid rising tensions between the two countries.
The recent escalation was sparked by a missile fired toward the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Hezbollah has subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack. In the wake of the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu argued that the missile attack was a direct consequence of Tehran’s “aggressive activities and ambitions” in the region.
The US president’s comments appear to be a direct rebuke of Netanyahu’s opinion on the dispute. Trump went on to implore both sides to “cool the heat” and avoid a military confrontation, saying that “they have to stop the violence, they just have to.”
Trump’s remarks highlighted the potential for further escalation if efforts are not made to deescalate tensions. Several analysts are now raising concerns that the situation could spiral out of control, as both sides continue to take hostile measures.
Ultimately, the US president believes that direct proceedings between Hezbollah and Israel are the only path to a lasting solution. “What can I tell you… I think it’s all got to come to the table and talk at some point. It’s the only way,” he said.
No doubt, the situation remains volatile and unpredictable, and only time will tell how the conflict will unfold going forward.
